Murray scores 3 TDs as Raiders romp past Broncos
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[November 07, 2016]
OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland
Raiders last performed on the "Sunday Night Football" stage 10 years
ago before facing the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos
at the Oakland Coliseum.
The Raiders made the most of their prime-time spotlight Sunday.
Latavius Murray produced 114 yards and a career-high three
touchdowns on 20 carries, and the Raiders powered their way to a
30-20 victory against the Broncos and into sole possession of first
place in the AFC West.
The Raiders improved to 7-2, their fastest start through nine games
since going 7-2 in 2001. They moved a game ahead of Denver (6-3) and
remained a half-game ahead of second-place Kansas City (6-2).
"Real proud of our performance in prime time tonight," Raiders coach
Jack Del Rio said. "It was a physical, physical night. A very
talented front seven for Denver. They're tough to run against. Our
guys really attacked it well."
Oakland had 218 net rushing yards to just 33 for Denver. Murray led
the charge, but rookie Jalen Richard rushed for 62 yards and DeAndre
Washington, another rookie, ran for 35.
"We wanted to run the ball coming in," Murray said. "We knew they
had given up a lot of rushing yards and so we knew we had to run the
ball to be successful, and we were able to do that really well. Not
just me, but the other guys, too, and it starts up front."
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Coming into the game, Denver's defense ranked 24th against the run,
but the Broncos gave up 100.6 more yards than their average.
"That's definitely not the mark of a great defense," Denver
linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. "We can't just get run over."
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr completed 20 of 31 passes for 184
yards. Denver's Trevor Siemian completed 18 of 37 passes for 283
yards and two touchdowns with one interception.
The Raiders led 20-10 at halftime, and after a scoreless third
period, the Broncos got a Brandon McManus 44-yard field goal with
14:56 left. Oakland responded with Sebastian Janikowski's 35-yard
field goal with 8:19 remaining, making it 23-13.
Oakland quickly got the ball back when linebacker Khalil Mack sacked
Siemian for the second time, forced a fumble and recovered at the
Denver 39 with 7:13 remaining.
"I stabbed inside because I knew he was going to bite on it, and
then came outside and tried to get the ball out," said Mack, who had
five sacks in Oakland's 15-12 victory against the Broncos at Denver
last year.
One play later, Broncos safety T.J. Ward made an apparent diving
interception, but after a video review, the pass was ruled
incomplete.
The Raiders, aided by two penalties for pass interference and one
for holding, drove 39 yards for Murray's 1-yard touchdown plunge
with 6:09 remaining.
Two plays later, Denver running back Kapri Bibbs took caught a
screen pass and weaved his way through Oakland's defense for a
69-yard touchdown with 5:18 left, cutting the lead to 30-20.
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Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) reacts towards
the crowd before a play against the Denver Broncos in the first
quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA
TODAY Sports
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Raiders safety Reggie Nelson sealed the win with an interception
with two minutes left.
"This is how you change the culture, by winning," Mack said.
The Raiders outgained Denver 241 yards to 145 in the first half and
built a 10-point lead.
Oakland drove to the Broncos 6-yard line on their first two drives
of the game but settled for Janikowski field goals of 24 and 29
yards.
Murray increased Oakland's lead to 13-0 with a 1-yard touchdown run
with 14:07 left in the first half, capping a nine-play, 57-yard
drive.
The Broncos went three-and-out on their first four drives of the
game, but they marched 84 yards on seven plays for a touchdown on
their fifth drive. Siemian hit Jordan Norwood on a 36-yard touchdown
pass, cutting Oakland's lead to 13-7 with 8:22 remaining in the
second quarter.
"It's tough being in a hole like that," Siemian said. "Four
three-and-outs, that's not good for the whole football team."
Oakland answered with Murray's second 1-yard touchdown run, making
it 20-7 with 1:39 left in the half. Murray set up the score with a
42-yard burst to Denver's 24.
McManus drilled a 55-yard field goal on the final play of the half.
NOTES: Raiders DT Stacy McGee (ankle) was inactive, and Denico Autry
started in his place. ... Raiders RCB Sean Smith (shoulder) was
inactive, and DJ Hayden started in his place. ... Broncos starting
DE Derek Wolfe left the game early in the third quarter with an
right arm injury and did not return. ... Broncos LCB Aqib Talib
(back) was inactive, and Bradley Roby replaced him in the starting
lineup. ... Broncos ILB Brandon Marshall stood for the pregame
national anthem for the first time this season. "I'm encouraged with
the many productive discussions and progress that has taken place as
the Denver Police department has decided to review its use of force
policy," Marshall wrote on Instagram. ... Before the game, an
airplane flew near the Coliseum pulling a sign that read: "VEGAS, IF
YOU BUILD IT WE WON'T COME!!"
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